Adjustable handle-bars.



W. J. SLEFFEL. ADJUSTABLE HANDLE BARS. APPLICATION FILED-MAR. 22, 1911.

1,024,914. Patented Apr. 30, 1912. Y

WITNESSES INVENTUR awzmwtw I fi i l COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPII CU.- WASHINGTON. H, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. SLEFFEL, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE KIRK-LATTY MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

ADJUSTABLE HANDLE-BARS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IVILLLmr J. SLnrrnL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Adjustable Handle- Bars, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates to an improvement in adjustable handle-bars, and constitutes a means of adjustment, which is simple, and much cheaper to manufacture, than any such device heretofore used.

The simplicity and cheapness of my handle-bars allow of their use on childrens bicycles and velocipedes, as well as on the larger and costlier bicycles for adults, whereas the present types of adjustable handle-bars are seldom fitted to any but ex pensive bicycles, on account of the cost of the same.

I effect my improved adjustment by means of a stem post with an extension head of polygonal shape, fitting into like polygonal holes in the adjacent ends of the handlebars, the latter being in two distinct pieces. For convenience, I here show only one such head and bars, the shape of the corresponding head and holes being in this case, octagonal. It will be obvious that the exact shape of the holes in the handle-bars is immaterial so long as it is possible to secure the fixed adjustment by that means. To the accomplishment of these and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description, set forth in detail, certain mechanism embodying my invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of the various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing: Figure l is a horizontal section of my handle-bar on the line A-A, Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a front elevation, showing the several adjustments in dotted outline; Fig. 3 is a front and side Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 22, 1911.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

Serial No. 616,084.

elevation of the stem post; and Fig. 4 is a plan view and front elevation of the end of one of the handle-bars.

In Fig. 1, the two distinct handlebars 1, are shown in engagement with the extension head 2 of the stem post 3, the handlebars being held in such engagement by the bolt 4 and the nut 5.

In Fig. 2, the three adjustments possible with my octagonal head are shown. Such adjustment from one to another elevation, is effected by unscrewing the nut 5, drawing ofl the handlebars 1 from the head 2,and turning them so that the faces of the holes will each contact with the next higher or lower faces of the head respectively, according to whether the adjustment is to be a raising or a lowering of the bars.

The stem post 3, shown in Fig. 3, is adapted to enter a socket (not shown) in the front post of a bicycle or similar vehicle, such as will be readily understood.

The octagonal hole in the handle-bar (Fig. 4) is fitted to slip snugly over the extension head 2, thus preventing any lost motion in the adjustment. The handle-bars 1 are further flattened at their adjacent ends into disks, which saves space, and permits the adjustable joint to be the same size as an ordinary stationary connection.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that my handle-bars are very simple, comprising, with the means of adjustment and the stem post, only five pieces, all of them either standard or easy to manufacture, thus reducing the cost of my adjustable bars to a minimum.

IVith the octagonal-shaped head shown here, three adjustments are possible. By removing the nut and slipping the handle-bars off the extension head, they may be rotated about the bolt until in position to engage the extension head with different sides in contact. Thus, with octagonal holes, the handlebars may be adjusted to make angles of 45, 90 or 135 degrees with a vertical line through the center of the bolt and stem plate, but of course cannot be adjusted in any other plane. The engaging faces on the stems head, whatever their number, are symmetrically disposed with respect to the vertical, that is to a line parallel with said post. By using heads having a greater or less number of sides than the eight used here, I secure varying numbers of adjustments, as will be obvious.

Another feature in which my handle-bars are an improvement, is the certainty of equal elevation on each side at every adjustment, owing to the character and disposition of the cngagii'lg faces on the stem head. A very serious detect in the prominent types of adjustable handle-bars now in use, is the practical impossibility of securing equal elevation for each handlebar at every adj ustment. This sometimes leads to very serious discomfort and even injury to bicyclers who thus ride with their shoulders at different elevations, and the whole body twisted. Such an eiiect is absolutely impossible with my handle-bars, for the sides of the polygonal head being placed in a symmetrical relation with respect to a vertical line through the center, as shown, thus make each side of said head an exact duplicate of the other, and necessitate equal elevation on each side, without the useless sighting across, so necessary to adjust the former types at even approximately equal heights.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. The combination of two distincthanpile-bars, having like polygonal apertures in their adjacent ends; a stem post lnving a laterally extending head, said head being externally of the same size and shape as the apertures in said handle-bars so as to be adapted to variously engage therewith, and thereby prevent rotative movement of said handles about said head; and means adapted to hold said handle-bars and said stem post in fixed engagement.

2. The combination of two distinct handle-bars, having like polygonal apertures in their adjacent ends; a stem post having a hole therein and an extension head alined with such hole, said extension head being externally of the same size and shape as said polygonal apertures and being adapted variously to engage such apertures in said handle-bars, thereby preventing rotative movement of the same about said extension head; and means adapted to hold said handle-bars and said stem post in fixed engage ment, said means comprising a removable bolt adapted to engage such hole in said stem post, and a nut for said bolt.

The combination of two distinct handle-bars, having like polygonal apertures correspondingly disposed in their adjacent ends; a stem post having a. laterally extending head, said head being externally of the same size and shape as the apertures in said handle-bars, so as to be adapted variously to engage therewith, and having its engaging faces symmetrically disposed with respect to a line parallel with said post; and means adapted to secure said handle-bars against said stem post with the apertures therein fitted over said head.

i. The combination of two distinct handlebars, having like polygonal apertures correspondingly disposed in their adjacent ends; a stem post having a laterally extending head, said head being externally of the same size and shape as the apertures in said handle-bars, so as to be adapted variously to engage therewith, and having its engaging faces symmetrically disposed with respect to a line parallel with said post; and means adapted to secure said handle-bars against said stem post with the apertures therein fitted over said head, said means comprising a removable bolt adapted to engage sueh hole in said stem post, and a nut for said bolt.

Signed by me, this 15th day of March,

XVILLIAM J. SLEFFEL. Attested by MrLns E. EWING, Fnnnnmox H. MOISAAO.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

